I have suspected I would be writing this post since last November. I’ve been pretty certain of it for the last month. As of this morning, it is official- I have been laid off.

Before anyone freaks out for me, please know that I am good with this. I have had plenty of time to process and come to terms with it, and I know very much that this is not a reflection on me or my job performance. It is very much a business decision, and I feel no ill will toward my boss/chain of command or current employer.

At the same time, I am not likely to apply for any new positions with my current employer. It has nothing to do with the company or the people and everything to do with my severance package. Severance is not going to be paid out as a lump sum but instead bi-weekly over the term of my eligibility (24 weeks). If I were to return to my current employer before  that 24 weeks was up, I would forfeit my remaining severance pay. That could cost me, literally, 10s of thousands of dollars. And truth be told, I’m employable enough that I don’t need to look for positions with my current company.

But the main point of today’s post is not meant to be the financial side. I’ll get into that more some other time. Today, it’s about attitude. I’ve been talking with another employee (from a different department) who also expects to be laid off. He said that he was using me, and my former boss (who is one of his neighbors) as his examples of the right attitude.

For me, in a situation like this, where I have no control, and it’s not a reflection of me, I see no reason to be upset. This is an opportunity for me to explore new options. Perhaps I’ll even move out of healthcare. (Not as likely, but I have applied to some non-healthcare related positions.) And honestly, this summer would have marked three years in this position, which is about the time I start looking for new jobs anyway.

I am currently studying for my Certified Supply Chain Professional designation through APICS, and intend to have that before my last day here. (Which reminds me, I need to sign up for a test date.) And I’m taking some great classes through Coursera.

Tonight, we are celebrating this change by going out to a “fancy” dinner with friends. It’s the last night of Dine Around Seattle, and we’re going to a locally owned restaurant for 3 courses for $30. It’s one of my favorite promotions, and we always try to take advantage.

Maybe I’m lucky in that I am a naturally optimistic person. But I see no reason not to keep moving forward, not to look at this as an opportunity to make a change, to have some time off and to de-stress. (I have been told that once I have my transition plan in place, I don’t really need to work eight hour days or even come into the office every day.) I fully intend to come out of this better off.

(I will note that I have no intention of turning to blogging full time. As the sole earner for my family, I feel the need for the security of a steady paycheck.)